Marking of films



June 12, 1934. sc 1,962,216

FFFFFFFFFF F Patented June 12, 1934 PATENT FF1E MARKING OF FILMS Frank Schiffl, Hampstead, London, England, assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application February 17, 1930, Serial No. 428,996

7 Claims.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved apparatus for marking motion picture film for synchronizing purposes.

The invention comprises the combination of a hollow driving sprocket fitted with an expanding member therein, the said member being provided with marking pins adapted to be brought to the surface of the driving sprocket while it is in motion for the purpose of marking the film. The accompanying drawing illustrates one method of carrying the invention into effect.

Fig. 1 shows a side view partly in section of one modification of the invention.

} Fig. 2 shows an end view of the same looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, but with certain parts omitted for the sake of clearness.

In carrying out the invention, a hollow sprocket 1 driven by a shaft 2 pulls a motion picture film by means of teeth 3. Within the sprocket 1 are mounted four or any convenient number of pieces 4, each fitted with marking pins 5. Surrounding each of the marking pins 5 is a spring 6 which tends to force the pieces 4 towards the central axis of the sprocket and so keeping the pins 5 below the surface of the sprocket and clear of the surface of the film. Between the pieces 4 and co-axially therewith is a hard steel cone 7 forced against a washer 8 by means of a spring 11. A solenoid 13 operates a plunger 12 fitted with a steel ball 12. When a film is running through the machine and the operator wishes to make a mark thereon, he advances the plunger 12 so bringing the ball 12' into contact with the cone 7. This cone forces apart the pieces 4 causing the pins to protrude above the surface of the sprocket.

In addition to this the solenoid is operated from the studios by means of a push button which energizes the solenoid which in turn operates the plunger. This device may also be operated by hand by means of a mechanical device.

When cone '7 is moved to the left, it forces the pieces 4 towards the periphery of the sprocket and causes the pins to indent the film but will not damage it in any way, and will give the operator a mark for synchronizing or cutting.

Having thus described my invention, it is to be understood that I am not to be limited by the specific form thereof shown and described for the purpose of illustration only, but by the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for marking motion picture films for the purpose of synchronization which comprises a radially apertured hollow cylindrical film moving sprocket, members carried inside of said hollow sprocket and each having marking pins movably positioned in the sprocket apertures and adapted to be protruded. therethrough to mark the film carried by said sprocket, and means movable in the sprocket to actuate said members to mark said film.

2. Apparatus for marking films for the purpose of synchronization which comprises a radially apertured hollow cylindricalfilm moving sprocket, a plurality of members carried inside of said sprocket, all having a plurality of marking pins movably positioned in the sprocket apertures and adapted to be protruded from said sprocket to mark said film, and means for simultaneously actuating all of said members to cause them to mark said film as desired.

3. Apparatus for marking moving film for the purpose of synchronization which comprises a radially apertured hollow cylindrical film moving sprocket, over which the film to be marked is adapted to be passed, a plurality of sector members carried within said sprocket, a film marking member carried by each of said sector members, and adapted to be protruded from said hollow sprocket for the purpose of marking said film, and means for simultaneously actuating said sector members to thus protrude said marking members through said sprocket to mark said film.

4. Apparatus for marking films for the purpose of synchronization which comprises a radially apertured hollow cylindrical motion picture sprocket over which the film to be marked is adapted to be passed, a plurality of sector members carried within said sprocket film marking members movably positioned in the sprocket apertures and supported by each of said sector members, and adapted to protrude through said hollow sprocket, means surrounding each of said marking members normally preventing said members from protruding from said sprocket, and means for simultaneously actuating said sector members against the pressure of said last mentioned means to cause said marking members to protrude from said hollow sprocket and mark the film carried thereby.

5. Apparatus for marking films for the purpose of synchronization which comprises a radially apertured hollow cylindrical sprocket over which the film to be marked is adapted to be passed, a plurality of sector members carried within said 105 hollow sprocket, a plurality of film marking members movably positioned in the sprocket apertures and carried by each of said sector members and adapted to protrude from said hollow sprocket for the purpose of marking said film, spring means 110 surrounding said marking members to cause them to be normally retained entirely within said hollow sprocket, actuating means for causing said sector members to be moved radially outward against the pressure of said spring members to cause said marking members to protrude through said hollow sprocket and thus mark the film, and spring means for normally preventing the operation of said actuating means.

6. Apparatus for marking films for the purpose of synchronization which comprises a radially apertured hollow cylindrical sprocket over which the film to be marked is adapted to be passed, a plurality of sector members carried within said hollow sprocket, a plurality of film marking members movably positioned in the sprocket apertures and carried by each of said sector members and adapted to protrude from said hollow sprocket for the purpose of marking said film, spring means surrounding said marking members to cause them to be normally retained entirely within said hollow sprocket, actuating means for causing said sector members to be moved radially outward against the pressure of said spring members to cause said marking members to protrude through said hollow sprocket and thus mark the film, spring means for normally preventing the operation of said actuating means, and operating means for operating said actuating means.

7. A film marking apparatus including a hollow apertured film moving sprocket, a member carried inside of said sprocket provided with a marking member positioned in the sprocket aperture and adapted to be protruded therethrough to mark the film carried by said sprocket, and means including an electro-magnet for actuating said marking member to mark said film.

FRANK SCHIFFI... 

